Welcome to the GWTW Forum.Guests (non-registered users) can view the forum but are unable to post. If you don't have anything to say then why would you bother to register?One of the most popular sections of the GWTW Forum has long been the Swap Meet. A great place to sell old, seldom flown kites or to get great deals on used (gently flown) kites. Only registered users can see the Swap Meet section, let alone wheel and deal. 1000's (literally) of kites have changed hands thanks to the Swap Meet.There are several more benefits to being a registered user, but you'll have to join our little community to find out all the "secrets".Questions or concerns? Contact Steve ... just drop an email to: forum.gwtwkites@gmail.com

Erm.. a newb question. Y will other kites be possible to fly at night? Do you mean in contrast with night lightings , other kites are more visible than the shadow?Also, what kind if bridle adjustments do you guys make to the shadow?

Erm.. a newb question. Y will other kites be possible to fly at night? Do you mean in contrast with night lightings , other kites are more visible than the shadow?Also, what kind if bridle adjustments do you guys make to the shadow?

Any dark color kite is difficult to trick in low light conditions. It is very hard to tell which way the kite is pointing when the light is low and the kite is against a backround of dark objects, like a tree line. I like the way my dark kites look ( like the Shadow ) but can only fly them in the summer when the light levels are high. It's even worse when you're flying under artificial light. My favorite SUL is all black, and very difficult to see in all but the best sunny conditions. I still try to fly it, but lose track of it frequently...

I felt that the Ocius SUL had a lower range than the Shadow, but not on the upper end. The Ocius (particularly the SUL) takes a bit too long to settle into a turtle for me. Other than that, I really liked it.

My personal choice in those wind ranges would be the Ocius SUL over all the others, and I love my WidowMaker UL - but in 0 - 5, the Ocius comes out of the bag every time. Now in winds 2-7 the WidowMaker UL is the choice.

Can someone tell the difference in kite features that cause one to be much trickier than the other?

These kites are a BIG improvement to the premier osprey you now fly. You will be learning tricks on them for years. The Ocius is the only kite I would not recommend for your skill level. It is an ADVANCED trick kite designed for combination tricks. Not designed to teach beginners individual tricks. 2 years from now, you will love this kite.

Can someone tell the difference in kite features that cause one to be much trickier than the other?

After reading, now I've narrowed down to the following kites:Airwave ULShadowOcius SULWidowmaker UL

So in the case of these kites, how would you rank their trick/control performance in the lower wind range? (If anyone had tried all of them before in 0-5mph)

Airwave UL - good budget starter trick kite. Will be the first one you out growShadow - Ok as a beginners kite, but a great kite as you get better. Ocius SUL - not a control kite. pure freeform & it tricks fast. Buy this in a couple of years.Widowmaker UL - great if you can afford it. a full sail with lots of control and does tricks slow and graceful. this helps in learning.

Hope that helps. I have all the kites on you list except for the Ocius, but Gamelord lets me fly his Gamelord is a much better pilot than me. I need another year of skill to fly the Ocius well.

I initially targeted for a sul because of the wind conditions I'm facing but suls are much harder to trick on... But with uls, I may have even lesser chance to be in the air.... That's my other concern.

Wayner, since what the manufacturer stated may not be the actual trickable range, so what min wind do you think the airwave, wm ul and shadow can teach me tricks in in actual?

Another newb question: wm ul is almost three times the price of airwave, is it 3x easier to learn tricks on?

Another newb question: wm ul is almost three times the price of airwave, is it 3x easier to learn tricks on?

No... maybe twice as much

The WM UL is a kite that will do everything a little better that the airwave. Including teaching you how to fly in lower winds. Plus it is a kite you will most likely not out grow.

It is also not a waste of money unless you stop flying. This was the 4th UL I bought. For me I bought the airwave and shadow first. But now I fly the Shadow and WM much more than the Airware. But the Airwave still does all the tricks that I can do.

The only kite I know that will make it 3x easier will cost you 5x the price.

I'd go for a full size outdoor kite. The issue with the 0 to 1.5/2 range is that you are talking indoor wind speeds there, so a kite that will fly very well in that when being flown by an inexperienced flyer, is likely not going to be very easy to trick in 2 to 5 or probably at all.

If you want to fly in less than 1, I'd get an indoor and learn how to do that well. It's fun, but is completely different from true outdoor flying and tricking.

Anyhow, that's my 2 cents.

WM UL is good. Also the silver fox line uls are sweet trickers, but need 3 realistically in my experience.

Our forum is made possible by the good folks whose ads appear above and by the members of our community (PayPal donation button at bottom)In case you missed it each ad is linked to the sponsors web site. So please, take a moment and visit our sponsors sites as this forum wouldn't be possible with out them.Interested in running an ad for your business or kiting event? Contact Steve at advertise.gwtwkites@gmail.com for a quote.